tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32682835074510009472014-10-04T22:19:54.458-07:00"hard Love" rehearsal processAZ Jewish Theatre Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16383260134090423008noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3268283507451000947.post-61579936596351062582010-10-01T16:39:00.000-07:002010-10-01T16:39:42.219-07:00"Hard Love" Rehearsal Process<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am attempting to move into the 21st Century, and thought it might be fun to blog about the rehearsal process&nbsp; - we'll be starting Tuesday night, Oct. 5.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I chose the play "Hard Love" for a number of reasons.&nbsp; This will be the first Israeli play we've done!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I've met playwright Motti Lerner a number of times at Jewish theatre conferences and have always been impressed.&nbsp; He's one of Israel's foremost playwrights - and a nice guy as well!&nbsp; I saw a scaled-down performance of the play at last year's Jewish theatre conference in New York - and was immediately struck by it.&nbsp; It deals with the conflict between the ultra-Orthodox and the secular in Israel - as seen through the eyes of an Ultra-Orthodox woman and her former husband, now a secular man.&nbsp;&nbsp; But it could just as easily be Romeo and Juliet, the Hatfields and McCoys or remember Patches from the 60's song - she lived on the wrong side of the tracks?&nbsp; I think most non-Jews think that a Jew</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">is a Jew, but there are zillions of degrees and differentiations and all.&nbsp; </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">I thought the play would bring up subjects that aren't generally brought to light through theatre, and so it intrigued me.&nbsp; And yes, I must admit, it's relatively easy to produce since there are just 2 characters!&nbsp; I knew I wanted to direct it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">We were very fortunate to cast 2 of the best - Eric Schoen, who was in last year's "Fools" for us - and Lesley Tutnick-Machbitz, whose worked I've admired for a long time.&nbsp; They are both such pros, and so dedicated - they're already working on getting off book (having everything memorized), which will make my job that much easier.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">We've all been doing research of the Meah She'arim area of Jerusalem where the first act takes place.&nbsp; The name means "a hundred-fold" or "a hundred gates." It's one of the oldest Jerusalem neighborhoods outside the walls of the old city.&nbsp; It was settled by about 100 families in the 19th century.&nbsp; Its members are&nbsp;Haredi (or Charedi) - the most conservative form of Orthodox Judaism.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">We'll be calling upon Sharron Topper-Amitai from the Israel Center to give us "insider" details - but I'm amazed at all you can find on the internet.&nbsp; We found a photo of the signs that are everywhere&nbsp;at the gates&nbsp;of the area&nbsp;pleading with outsiders to respect their ways- we're hoping to be able to make one large enough to use on stage.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">So with any luck, I'll be adding to this blog on a regular basis, and you can share the rehearsal process with us!&nbsp; The show previews on Oct. 28 - and yes, tickets are on sale now!</span>AZ Jewish Theatre Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16383260134090423008noreply@blogger.com3